The effect of trehalose on human lung fibroblasts stored in euro-collins and low potassium dextran solutions.
BACKGROUND
The research on lung preservation for transplantation is directed to synthesize a solution, in order to prolong the preservation period, thus avoiding the damage to lung tissues caused by ischemia. In recent years some in vivo experimental papers have been published, in which good results were obtained by adding trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide able to stabilize the cell membrane, to the storage solutions.


METHODS
In this study we have evaluated the effects on human lung fibroblasts of commonly used storage solutions like Euro-Collins (EC) and Low Potassium Dextran (LPD), in which trehalose has respectively replaced glucose (T-EC) or was added (LPD-T). The cultures were incubated for 8 hours at 10 degrees C in standard and modified solutions.


RESULTS
The data relative to EC compared to EC-T showed that the total protein content and the rate of protein synthesis, that is in other words cell viability, are drastically compromised. Concerning LPD-T, compared to standard LPD, a slightly decrease of the total protein content and of the rate of protein synthesis in the cells incubated in the modified solution were observed. The reasons for these unexpected data are related to the hypothesis that during the ischemic period membrane stabilization is neither the main nor the only factor responsible for the cellular damage. Moreover the role of trehalose in preservation solutions, is still not clear and should be further investigated.


CONCLUSIONS
With the limits of the study of single cells in vitro, the advantages of trehalose containing solutions proved ineffective and toxic especially as for as EC-T is concerned.
Carbognani
P
P
Department of General Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
Rusca
M
M
Spaggiari
L
L
Solli
P
P
Alfieri
R
R
Cattelani
L
L
Bobbio
A
A
Bobbio
P
P
D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003911:Dextrans; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D005947:Glucose; D006801:Humans; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology*; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D014199:Trehalose / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003911:Dextrans; C037096:Euro-Collins' solution; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; C083290:low potassium dextran glucose solution; D014199:Trehalose; D005947:Glucose